pkondz
Brace yourself for immediate disintegration
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2007
I can't believe more people aren't signing up for that deal.
I know!
But still...maps are cool!
And Atlases and globes.
I'm sure they help, though. Pull my finger!
I can't believe more people aren't signing up for that deal.
But still...maps are cool!
I'm sure they help, though. Pull my finger!
Wait, these are funny? Now I'm really interested. I had been thinking they were all dark.
That sounds fun! I have mostly avoided audio books. I like reading the stories myself. I think it's because as I read along, I'm casting the movie in my head, so hearing someone else's voice for the character would mess me up!
Oh no! Not at all, they're hilarious! That's why I thought of you and that you would like them. What I didn't remember about the books was the amount of cussing, the "dark" parts really aren't dark in comparison to books like perhaps Stephen King (though I've never read one of his books) too scary! Because the main character in the book is a Game Warden, there is a lot of stuff based around deer hunting and manly men. These "manly men" in Texas tend to get caught up somewhat unsavory situations whether it be with women, guns, trucks or any number of other vices. There are two redneck characters that recur in each book and they are the funniest. The novel with the "Chupacabra" was especially good.
I don't really visualize well when I read. I think I have a slight case of ADD. My mind wanders when I'm reading so the audio books really help me "live" the story,
Boy. I completely missed the last update until just now.
Starting with a sidenote: I was thinking of you guys while watching the Super Bowl. I have about .05% interest in professional football, and of that most of it is dedicated to the Atlanta Falcons because they've got an alumni from my college playing for them, and I have a friend on their photography crew. So I really didn't care much who won, but I was excited when I remembered how much you and your family liked the Eagles. Would have commented on Facebook, except I don't think we're friends.
Actually, I only have 2 Dis friends on Facebook, and one is @pkondz, so really it's like 1 1/2.
DH and I (back when we were just boyfriend and girlfriend) did a long weekend in Atlanta and did World of Coke because I have a small obsession with all things Coca-Cola. And, to be honest..... I found it not really worth the money. Don't get me wrong, it had some cool parts, but you literally sit in a theater and they make you watch an extended feel-good commercial. Like, I'm already here, you don't have to sell me on your product. They do have a tasting room much like Club Cool in Epcot, and I was able to trick Joe in trying Beverly again because he never remembers anything. That was fun Other than that, I couldn't tell you much of what was there, so, clearly, didn't make much of an impression.
I am slowly getting on the chicken and waffles train. There's a brewpub downtown here that makes AMAZING chicken and waffles, and you get both honey and syrup. But I generally have to split an order with Joe because a) I'm not the biggest waffle fan to begin with and b) it's just a lot of food. At least for me.
HEY!!!
Well... okay... I'll give you that one.
Yeah, where have you been?!
Funny you mention Facebook, I had a whole live comment thread going during the game. Several of the DIS Dads were commenting throughout. That was fun.
I could see if it only cost me a little bit to take my family, but I felt like over $100 was way too steep.
Then you can take some home for lunch!
Gotcha. I have a lot of friends who swear by audio books.
Gotcha. I have a lot of friends who swear by audio books.
Nothing but love Ponzi. Nothing but love.
HEY!!!
Well... okay... I'll give you that one.
Nothing but love Ponzi. Nothing but love.
In my defense, your title still says your last update was 1/18 so I didn't know I had missed anything until I decided to browse the chatter.
Bummed I missed it. My mom and I texted some but then she went to bed. We generally have a running text conversation through the major Duke basketball games and Indycar races.
It really is. Especially since there's now a watered down version at Disney Springs you can go to for free! Because you'll never spend over $100 at Disney
But then the waffle gets soggy. Much better to eat it that day.
Kinda coming late on this, but we've recently started listening to audiobooks. Mainly because I grew up an avid reader, but Joe never read anything he didn't have to. This is a good way for us to be able to share the experience. And it's a nice way to kill time on long drives, because it's something we're both interested in. (with the exception of The Outsiders. I don't think he's forgiven me for that one yet)
They should invest in better speakers or headphones. That should keep the swearing down.
It was also the site of a bombing during the Olympics that resulted in 2 deaths (one via heart attack).
There are statues dedicated to both the founders of the Olympics
I can report that I felt 10% faster while in this park.
The central feature is the Fountain of Rings, which basically serves as a mini-water park for kids. And the parent who loses the short straw and has to chase the kids out of there.
I liked this feature—a pergola decorated with the flags of every nation. I bet it looks really cool on sunny days with the light shining through.
Just across the garden was The Place That Shall Not Be Named.
Somehow the Aquarium let our family through security, and we were in.
The Georgia Aquarium was once the largest in the world, until it was surpassed by an aquarium in Singapore in 2012.
The big draws are the aforementioned dolphin show and the massive 6.3 million-gallon salt water tank featuring the ginormous creatures of the ocean.
7. Should we move up?
Nah.
No photos during the show, so that’s the only one we could get.
If you’ve ever seen a dolphin show before
Nearby was a beluga whale. Didn’t seem to be making any attempt to find Dory’s parents via sonar. That movie was full of crap.
Here are some other creatures we encountered, including a couple of albino crocodiles.
This was a neat coral reef exhibit, featuring tropical reef fish. The pool extended up to the roof over our heads and was set up with a wave simulator, so every so often a small wave would come crashing over us and into the reef. It was a neat effect designed to make you feel like you were underwater, swimming around the reef.
As you can see our boys were very impressed.
Ever notice that rays are always in a good mood?
One of the whale sharks (they have four that I counted) swam over my head, and I was able to get this shot of it with my phone. They’re just incredibly massive.
Sitting in there, just watching the whale sharks, sea turtles, rays…it was mesmerizing.
We all looked at each other and decided…
…we’d go back through the saltwater tank exhibit again.
We finally tore ourselves away from the display and left for the day. Everyone had a great time here—the Georgia Aquarium is highly recommended!
The Varsity is a classic drive-in fast food joint
It was first opened in 1928
and by 1950 laid claim to the title of the world’s largest drive-in restaurant
They also have their own lingo for various orders, but I found that it wasn’t necessary to learn it
We drove over but didn’t want to eat in the van (3-year-olds and chili dogs are not a good mix), so we went inside to eat.
The verdict: meh. The burgers were not great, Bob.
The chili cheese dogs were decent—passable. If I went again, I’d get that. With the onion rings, not the fries. The fried pies were the best part of the meal. Overall, I’d say I’m glad I did it once, just to say I have been to the Atlanta institution. But I wouldn’t rush back.
Except I’d forgotten that the Braves had just opened a brand-new stadium that summer, which was located far north of the city. We were situated next to the old stadium, on the south side of town
And I finally shattered my long-held Hotel Swimming Pool Theory, which stated that if the hotel has a pool, the kids will want to use it, regardless of the maintenance, upkeep, or even physical presence of water. This pool was outdoors, and filled with a scummy green water with thousands of old leaves floating in it. Shockingly, the kids said they wanted no party of it.
We took most of our belongings with us into the room that night. Thankfully, the night passed without incident. Unless you count the various snide remarks about my vacation-planning skills.
Apparently that's what the kids do these days. I used to make fun of my 17 yo sitting on the couch "watching TV" while clicking away on her phone. Until I did it during Superbowl. Yeah, that didn't get thrown back in my faceI had a whole live comment thread going during the game. Several of the DIS Dads were commenting throughout. That was fun.
I remember these games. I kind of always felt like the 100th anniversary games should have been in Athens. But at least Atlanta put up this commemorative park to remember the centennial.This park was dedicated as part of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta and served as a public space/community center both during and after the Games.
I feel a bit like that watching the Winter Olympics. Right after seeing Luge I say "Wow, that looked amazing, I could do that". Gravity and the breaking strength of bone would say otherwise.I can report that I felt 10% faster while in this park.
I don't know the secret, but I'll have what he's having.Ever notice that rays are always in a good mood? I’d love to know what their secret is.
Is this a perspective thing, or is that turtle absolutely massive?
Just based on the picture, it seems meh. I find the fries often make or break a fast food meal. Those fries look a bit soggy and bland.The verdict: meh. The burgers were not great, Bob.
The show itself was a lot of fun.
There were a lot of fun interactive features to keep the kids engaged, such as these little crawl-through tunnels in the penguin exhibit.
It’s awe-inspiring to see these giant sea creatures effortlessly gliding all around you.
Sitting in there, just watching the whale sharks, sea turtles, rays…it was mesmerizing.
we moved on to the sea lion show.
Others swore that the consequences to my digestive tract would be worse than a visit to Taco Bell.
The verdict: meh. The burgers were not great, Bob.
Overall, I’d say I’m glad I did it once, just to say I have been to the Atlanta institution. But I wouldn’t rush back.
We were situated next to the old stadium, on the south side of town, which could charitably be described as…well…
I'm sorry to say there's a couple of sports that I really don't watch at all.
I think it's $100 just to wake up and roll out of bed at Disney.
I don't think the kids would like the books I read, though.
The park has some beautiful features. There are statues dedicated to both the founders of the Olympics and the locals who brought the Games to the city.
Here are some other creatures we encountered, including a couple of albino crocodiles.
Sitting in there, just watching the whale sharks, sea turtles, rays…it was mesmerizing.
After a while, we moved on to the sea lion show. This was on a much smaller scale than the dolphin show, but it was still cute.
The verdict: meh. The burgers were not great, Bob.
This pool was outdoors, and filled with a scummy green water with thousands of old leaves floating in it. Shockingly, the kids said they wanted no party of it.
I remember that.
One of the whale sharks (they have four that I counted) swam over my head, and I was able to get this shot of it with my phone. They’re just incredibly massive.
"Mom's tired. You can take that camera out of my face or suffer a fate worse than death. You're call."
I used to work across the street from Centennial park and have been there many times for lunch or just to walk around. I don't recall seeing this one though. Nice!Some of the fountains even look like they might have come from a Disney park.
Not surprising. They let mine through on at least 3 different occasions...obviously security is not a top priority for the fish.Somehow the Aquarium let our family through security, and we were in. Most of the exhibits are walk-throughs, but there are two shows offered at various times throughout the day—a dolphin show and a sea lion show. We decided to make a beeline for the dolphin show to make sure we got a seat and then we could enjoy the rest of the aquarium at our leisure.
I don't think the dolphin show was there when we went.We followed a crowd into the theater for the dolphin show and were seated fairly quickly. Once seated, we were told over and over again that the first ten rows of the theater were the designated “splash zone”. Anyone seated in those rows was running the risk of getting slightly wet. Or maybe soaked. So Julie and I started counting rows…
It's because Dory's parents were already found. Duh!Nearby was a beluga whale. Didn’t seem to be making any attempt to find Dory’s parents via sonar. That movie was full of crap.
I think those might be new...I don't recall those.Here are some other creatures we encountered, including a couple of albino crocodiles.
Again, I think this might be new...we haven't been in a long time, I don't see you listing the "petting" tank, so maybe they replaced some stuff. The petting tank was an open tank kids could pet rays (with their tails clipped) and something else -- starfish(?). Seemed like there was always people their telling the kids not to try to catch the rays or pick up whatever the other thing was in the tank, so maybe they replaced it with this or something nicer and lower maintenance.This was a neat coral reef exhibit, featuring tropical reef fish. The pool extended up to the roof over our heads and was set up with a wave simulator, so every so often a small wave would come crashing over us and into the reef. It was a neat effect designed to make you feel like you were underwater, swimming around the reef.
So THAT'S the impressed look. Good to know. Guess my kids have never been impressed.As you can see our boys were very impressed.
They add stuff to the salt water (kinda like crack for rays, but evidently the other fish don't really care)Ever notice that rays are always in a good mood? I’d love to know what their secret is.
It's hard when you take a photo to show perspective of just how big they are, but those larger fish swimming near them are about 4-5 feet long.One of the whale sharks (they have four that I counted) swam over my head, and I was able to get this shot of it with my phone. They’re just incredibly massive.
We're gonna need a bigger boat.
This gives good perspective since you have the people there. The tunnel does magnify the fish/turtles/whales a little bit, but that's close to scale.
Great shot and one that shows how big those whale sharks are.
Uh-ohWe had a short drive about a mile north to our dinner destination: The Varsity.
We've lived here for 21 years and we've been only 3 times. The last 2 times, I recall saying...oh yeah, that's why we haven't been back in so long. Yes, it's an Atlanta icon, but the food...not so much.The Varsity is a classic drive-in fast food joint, and an Atlanta institution. It was first opened in 1928, and by 1950 laid claim to the title of the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. They specialize in burgers and chili dogs and fried pie, and now have several locations throughout Georgia. The servers take your order after spouting their famous catchphrase: “What’ll Ya Have, What’ll Ya Have?” They also have their own lingo for various orders, but I found that it wasn’t necessary to learn it—I could just order the number of various combos and did just fine.
I had heard competing stories on this place—some people swore that a visit to Atlanta was not complete without visiting The Varsity and “having the experience” at least once. Others swore that the consequences to my digestive tract would be worse than a visit to Taco Bell. In the end, we decided that we didn’t want to miss out on an experience, so we went for it.
Actually, it's better to go inside. Some of the employees can be quite entertaining. I think he's retired now, but there was a guy that had worked there 30 or 40 years if I recall. I'll have to see if I can find the article. Although it's not at all like a character lunch at Disney, some of the folks are characters and the ambiance is better insideWe drove over but didn’t want to eat in the van (3-year-olds and chili dogs are not a good mix), so we went inside to eat. We went up to the counter and told the lady what we’ll have, and then Scotty and I waited for the order while the others went to get seats. Somehow, the kids ended up with the camera again.
She looks so thrilled and happy to be eating at the varsity. Oh wait, this must have been taken after she ate.Since you guys liked the other ones so much, here’s another artistic shot for you:
Thanks for not detailing the after effects of the chili(well all of it really). Yes, the fried pies, while not fantastic, compared to the rest of the fare, are indeed the best part. If you come back through our way again (well, if I haven't found my job in Central FL and we're still here), I'll take you somewhere to show you what fried pies should be like (amazing).The chili cheese dogs were decent—passable. If I went again, I’d get that. With the onion rings, not the fries. The fried pies were the best part of the meal. Overall, I’d say I’m glad I did it once, just to say I have been to the Atlanta institution. But I wouldn’t rush back.
Woo hoo, baseball!Our accommodations for the evening were in a Country Inn, and I have to say my vacation planning skills were on full display here. While searching for a relatively inexpensive place to stay, I wanted to stay close to the city, because I had one more attraction to visit the following morning and didn’t want to mess with Atlanta rush hour traffic. After various searches turned up far too many instances of price gouging, I finally stumbled upon the Country Inn. And then I saw the clincher—it was right next to the Atlanta Braves baseball stadium. Perfect! My boys love baseball—maybe we could see a game, or at least check the place out. Combine that with an affordable price and short drive the next morning, and it was a no-brainer.
Doh!Except I’d forgotten that the Braves had just opened a brand-new stadium that summer, which was located far north of the city. We were situated next to the old stadium, on the south side of town, which could charitably be described as…well…
The stadium should still be there...it's owned by Georgia State University now, but I don't know they've actually done much in/with it yet.There were no signs of life at the baseball stadium except for the homeless guy asking me for money so he could ride the bus. And I finally shattered my long-held Hotel Swimming Pool Theory, which stated that if the hotel has a pool, the kids will want to use it, regardless of the maintenance, upkeep, or even physical presence of water. This pool was outdoors, and filled with a scummy green water with thousands of old leaves floating in it. Shockingly, the kids said they wanted no party of it.
So... guys in togas? Was one of them Jim Belushi?
What's 10% faster than dead slow?
Yelling works on occasion.
That's really nice. I like the inclusivity of it.
Took me a while to find my flag, though.
Hmm.... Now I'm beginning to rethink going. I mean if they'll let you guys in...
Always happened. You're number one until you're number two.
Good. Means you actually sat and watched and enjoyed it.
... you've seen 'em all.
You put your kids on display?!?!?!?
I guess it pays the bills.
Ever heard one? They are extremely vocal. Where I used to live we'd see thousands.
That's really a neat effect.
Well, sure.
No job and.. more importantly, no wife.
Soooooooooooo cool!
Excellent shot. I love that it's just this... massive shadow.
I have no doubt. Man I want to see this.
Absolutely brilliant shot!
Love that shot too. Like the ones with the silhouetted people.
Bucket list!!
Whoa. That's been around for a while.
Huh! Really. I wonder how accurate that is.
(Thinking Elf and the world's best cup of coffee.)
I'd be all over using that.
"Mom's tired. You can take that camera out of my face or suffer a fate worse than death. You're call."
I can't tell. Is the chili a beef chili or was there beans in it?
If the former, then... yum. If the latter... pass.
Well... that sucks.
Not exactly a glowing recommendation, but I'd probably still give it a shot.... but I need to know about the chili.
Yeah... there are limits. Sounds like they found theirs.
Apparently that's what the kids do these days. I used to make fun of my 17 yo sitting on the couch "watching TV" while clicking away on her phone. Until I did it during Superbowl. Yeah, that didn't get thrown back in my face
I remember these games. I kind of always felt like the 100th anniversary games should have been in Athens. But at least Atlanta put up this commemorative park to remember the centennial.
I feel a bit like that watching the Winter Olympics. Right after seeing Luge I say "Wow, that looked amazing, I could do that". Gravity and the breaking strength of bone would say otherwise.
I don't know the secret, but I'll have what he's having.
Is this a perspective thing, or is that turtle absolutely massive?
Just based on the picture, it seems meh. I find the fries often make or break a fast food meal. Those fries look a bit soggy and bland.
I will never forget the hotel my step-dad took us to once on vacation. The pool was unusable and gross and the rooms were not much better. You kids will never forget that hotel.
I think the dolphin show is different when we went years ago. At that time, you had to pay extra for the show and we found it kind of Meh. I need to go back again for that and also the new stuff that's been added. But my husband hates aquariums and doesn't want to go back. Maybe the next time my Mom visits.
And a few adults too....
Yes! that tunnel is so cool, I could go through it over and over again.
Yep, that about sums it up.
Another new thing I need to get back and see.
That was me!!
OK, I've got to do it.... Told you so! Had to get that one out of my system.
That was our feeling. We have one up near our house and have only gone once.
Yikes! Definitely not the best area in town. We got lost (pre-GPS days) a few times coming home from Braves games and it was pretty scary. The new stadium is in a much better area and much closer to us but we still haven't made it to a game yet.